American Citizen Newsletters

July 2008

A Better Looking, More Accessible Embassy

On June 26, the American Embassy celebrated the completion of major work on its Perimeter Security Project. Ambassador Tuttle, along with other dignitaries from law enforcement and the neighborhood, cut ribbons and unveiled a plaque to commemorate the opening. The finished complex includes new landscaping, a larger pedestrian area, and the opening of two new visitor-access pavilions to facilitate entry into the Embassy while reducing congestion and improving the building's appearance. The northern pavilion is for individuals seeking visas, while the southern pavilion is for official visitors to the Embassy and American citizens seeking consular services. The Embassy will now be better able to serve the public by providing a more streamlined, and thus quicker, access to the building. These two pavilions will allow visa applicants – and others, British and American residents and citizens – to enter the Embassy without the current long waits, often in inclement weather.

American Visitors to the UK

We’re now in the middle of the summer travel season, and while many of the American residents are traveling abroad, many other Americans have arrived for a short visit. We have information for American visitors to the U.K. on our website at http://london.usembassy.gov/uk4us.html

Interning, studying, performing, marrying or working in the UK

While a visa is not required for tourist or business visits to the U.K. of six months duration or less, those planning to visit the U.K. for any purpose other than tourism or business should consult the website of the British Embassy in the United States at http://britainusa.com for information about current visa requirements.

Those who are required to obtain a visa and fail to do so are likely to be denied entry, and returned to their port of origin.

Purposes of travel to the UK that generally require a visa or work permit are

- internships (paid or unpaid, regardless of length)
- performances (e.g. musical, theatrical)
- marriage
- au pair/household help (U.S. citizens are not eligible for the U.K. au pair visa category)
- study (Students coming for less than six months who do not intend to work may be given leave to enter as a 'Student Visitor' at the port of entry if studying at an institution included on the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) Register of Education Providers. Students should consult with their educational institution prior to traveling to the U.K. to confirm eligibility.)

British immigration officers strictly enforce the visa requirement. Those who do not present the appropriate documentation will not be permitted temporary entry to arrange documentation in the U.K.

In addition to the British Embassy web site at http://britainusa.com, those seeking current U.K. visa information may also contact U.K. consular offices via their premium rate telephone service at 1-900-656-5000 (cost $3/minute) or 1-212-796-5773 ($12 flat fee).

American Clubs and Organizations

Many Americans are also transferring to the UK during this period to take up residence or begin a new job. Networking is an important part of settling in a new environment. Within the UK there are dozens of clubs and associations to help Americans settle in. We maintain a list of organizations known to us at
http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/acs/scs/american_organizations_in_the_united_kingdom.html

If you are aware of an organization geared towards Americans that is not on our list, let us know.

Finding Health Services in the UK

Part of settling in is also finding your nearest doctor or pharmacy. U.S. Consular Sections around the world generally have lists of doctors in the country. In countries where the medical infrastructure is significantly different than America’s or where English is not the national language, these lists are invaluable. Our list is available online at
http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/acs/scs/doctors.html. In addition, the U.K.’s National Health Service (NHS) has a service directory online at
http://www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories/Pages/ServiceSearch.aspx to help you find the nearest Emergency Unit (A&E), GPs, Hospitals, Dentists, Alcohol services, Asthma clinics, Carer services, Community clinics, Maternity services, Memory problems, Mental health services, Midwifery teams, Opticians, Parenting & Childcare, Pharmacists, Stop-smoking services, Sport and fitness services, and much more.

Remember also that most medical care facilities and medical care providers in the U.K. do not accept insurance subscription as a primary source of payment.  Rather, the beneficiary is expected to pay for the service and then seek reimbursement from the insurance company.  This may require an upfront payment in the $10,000 to $20,000 range.

Please see our information on medical insurance overseas.

The U.K. Health Protection Agency (http://www.hpa.org.uk) also provides a wealth of information about the health situation in the UK.

ESTA soon available to VWP Travelers

The new Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) that we mentioned in last month’s newsletter will become available in August. While Americans will not be using the ESTA system, your non-American travel partners may be. ESTA is a new fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). By using ESTA in advance, a traveler from a VWP country will be able to confirm in advance that he or she is able to travel without a visa. To confirm whether an individual travel document (e.g. a passport) is valid for use under the VWP, see the Embassy “Visa Waiver Wizard” at http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/visa_wizard.html

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency has posted answers to frequently asked questions about ESTA on its website at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/esta/esta_faq.xml. We encourage those eligible to try it out during this trial period and provide feedback.

Traveling with Household help

Generally, for a non-American to work in the U.S., he or she needs the appropriate visa. However, personal or domestic employees who are accompanying or following to join their United States citizen employer in the United States may be eligible for the B-1 visa classification if their employer ordinarily resides outside the United States and is traveling to the United States temporarily, or the employer is subject to frequent international transfers lasting two years or more and who, as a condition of employment, is going to reside in the United States for a stay not to exceed four years. Note: It is not possible to qualify for a B-1 visa if the United States citizen will reside permanently in the United States, even if the individual concerned has previously been in the U.S. citizen's employ abroad. For more information, go to
http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/visa/niv/domestic.html

A Change in the UK Document Legalization Process

The American Citizen Services Branch of the U.S. Embassy in London provides notary services for American and non-Americans who need to have documents notarized for use in the United States. Notary services are, however, by appointment and require a trip to the Embassy.

Notarization of documents for use in the U.S. can also be done under the British system through the legalization process. This is a two-step process. First, have your documents signed in front of a Notary Public. For your nearest Notary Public, please visit http://www.thenotariessociety.org.uk.
Next, you must have the signature and seal of the Notary Public authenticated by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO). The FCO will legalize documents by means of an Apostille, or certificate, which is provided for in Article 3 of the Convention. Documents affected include U.K. public records (birth, death, and marriage certificates; probate documents; all documents certified by court officials, the Patent Office, and Companies Registration Office, etc.) in addition to documents witnessed by notaries public and solicitors.

The FCO Legalisation Office will be moving to Milton Keynes on August 8. The FCO has said that the move will enable it to serve customers and legalize documents more quickly. For further details click FCO Legalisation Office.

Politics and Pundits – Participate in a Live Webcast

The U.S. Embassy in London in partnership with the Financial Times and YouGovStone announces the next event in a series of discussions on the 2008 U.S. Election:
Politics and Pundits - The Influence of the Media on Elections and Democracy
Watch a live webcast of the discussion and post questions to the panel. The Webcast begins at 18:30 on Wednesday, 16th July. More information can be found at http://london.usembassy.gov/webtv/

Voting

The U.S. elections are less than four months away. Voters who have not yet registered to vote and requested an absentee ballot should do so now.
Complete the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) using the instructions for your state in the Voting Assistance Guide. You may pick up a hard copy of the FPCA from any U.S. Embassy or Consulate, or use the online version available at
http://fvap.gov/pubs/fpca.html

Cultural Events of American Interest

For those looking for a taste of American culture in the U.K., there is always something going on. The Embassy maintains a calendar of American cultural events online at http://london.usembassy.gov/culture/index.html.

Some upcoming events include:

- Elana Durán - Mexico Of My Heart
As part of the Edinburgh International Festival, Anthony Field Associates and London Artists present Oakland, California-born flautist, Elana Durán with “Mexico Of My Heart” featuring the music and songs of Mexican idols Jorge Negrete, Pedro Infante and Javier Solis. Also featured will be clips from their iconic 'epoca de oro' movies.
Venue: Universal Arts Theatre, George Street, Edinburgh
With Luis Zepeda, piano 1-12 August
With Betty Woo, piano 14-25 August
1-12 August, 11:30 daily
14-25 August, 11:30 daily

- The American Scene: Prints from Hopper to Pollock
The British Musem's exhibition, The American Scene, features around 150 outstanding prints by 74 leading modern American artists, including George Bellows, Edward Hopper, Grant Wood, Josef Albers, Alexander Calder, Louise Bourgeois and Jackson Pollock. The first half of the 20th century was a period of great change in America, and this exhibition examines American society and culture through the prints produced by some of the most important artists of the time. Full details are on the British Museum website.
Until 7 September 2008

- Cy Twombly: Cycles and Seasons
Coinciding with Cy Twombly’s 80th year, this will be the first major retrospective in the UK for twenty years of the work of this artist. Born in 1928 in Lexington Virginia, Twombly studied in Boston, New York and Black Mountain College, Carolina. In the mid 1950s, following travels in Europe and Africa, he emerged as a prominent figure among a generation of artists working in New York that included Robert Rauschenberg and Jasper Johns.
Full details are on the Tate Modern website.

Embassy Weekly Update

Americans have, in the past, asked whether they could find out more about the position of the U.S. Government on matters of foreign policy. While our Consular Newsletter focuses on non-political policy matters affecting the welfare of American citizens in the U.K., the Embassy also produces a weekly update on matters of U.S. foreign policy. Those interested in receiving weekly updates on U.S. foreign policy, U.S./U.K. relations and other political and global issues can subscribe at:
http://london.usembassy.gov/ukweekly.html.

Twitter

The Embassy website has begun using the “Twitter” social networking system to deliver daily headlines and updates to subscribers on an ad-hoc basis. As with other social networking services, the creation of an account on Twitter may place private details on the Internet. You should always consider carefully what impact this may have and consider using alternate names and email accounts.

Important Security Announcement When visiting the Embassy, please remember not to bring mobile phones or any electronic devices, such as Blackberries, iPods, or PDAs, as they are not allowed within the Embassy. We also strongly advise that you do not bring large bags, such as backpacks, suitcases or packages to the interview as there are no storage facilities on Embassy grounds. Click on this link for a PDF file for a list of Left Luggage storage facilities.

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